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2022 - Best Nursing Schools in Oakland, CA

Ready to Start Your Healthcare Journey?


By RNCareers.org Staff
Updated: November 25, 2021

Are you looking to research and compare nursing programs in Oakland? We help you find the best nursing schools located in the city of Oakland, the state of California, across the nation, or offered online.

In total the state of California offers 133 nursing schools consisting of 17 private schools which generally will be more expensive than the 98 public schools which will have lower in-state tuition costs. Within the the city of Oakland there are 3 nursing schools with 0 private and 1 public schools in Oakland to choose from.

California has 104 cities that offer accredited nursing schools. If Oakland does not offer the nursing program you are looking for, you can take advantage of California's in-state nursing school tuition in these other cities: Anaheim, Angwin, Aptos, Arcata, Azusa, Bakersfield, Calexico, Camarillo, Carson, Chico, Chula Vista, Compton, Costa Mesa, Cupertino, Cypress, El Cajon, Eureka, Fremont, Fresno, Fullerton, Gilroy, Glendora, Hayward, Huntington Beach, Imperial, Irvine, Joshua Tree, Kentfield, La Jolla, La Mirada, Lancaster, Lemoore, Loma Linda, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Marysville, Merced, Mission Viejo, Modesto, Monterey, Monterey Park, Moorpark, Napa, North Hollywood, Northridge, Oakland, Oceanside, Orange, Oroville, Palm Desert, Porterville, Rancho Cucamonga, Redding, Reedley, Riverside, Rocklin, Rohnert Park, Sacramento, Salinas, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jacinto, San Jose, San Luis Obispo, San Marcos, San Mateo, San Pablo, San Rafael, Santa Ana, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Santa Clarita, Santa Maria, Santa Monica, Santa Rosa, Signal Hill, Stockton, Torrance, Turlock, Ukiah, Valley Glen, Ventura, Victorville, Visalia, Walnut, Weed and Woodland Hills.

Wether you are looking for an entry level or advance nursing degree, Oakland offer 11 nursing degree levels including: APRN Certificate, Bachelor Degree, Master Degree, Post Master's NP Certificate, Accelerated BSN, Accelerated MSN, Associate Degree, BSN to DNP, LPN to BSN, MSN to DNP and RN to BSN.

To meet the diverse needs of Oakland healthcare needs, nursing programs in Oakland offer 2 nursing degrees to specialize in, including Family Nurse Practitioner and Registered Nursing.

Options for earning your nursing in Oakland have never been more flexible. Oakland nursing programs have become adept at offering effective alternatives for you to earn your nursing degree, no matter your life situation or schedule. You will find 2 different paths to earn your nursing degree in California including Campus and Hybrid.

 

Ranking Methodology

To create our rankings, we evaluated 1 ADN degree programs and 2 BSN degree programs in Oakland. We obtained each institution’s first-time NCLEX-RN passing rates, the number of students taking the test, the program nursing accreditation and more. We then compared the results against other nursing programs in Oakland to provide our city rankings. View our methodology.

Online BSN Programs Liked by California Nurses

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

Compare Oakland Nursing Schools

Compare California Nursing Schools ADN BSN
Number of Nursing Programs 1 2
Average NCLEX Passing Rate 83.72% 74.55%
NCLEX Passing Rate Range 68.46% to 98.98% 93.75% to 93.75%

Take the next step toward your healthcare future with online learning.

Discover schools with the programs and courses you're interested in, and start learning today.


Holy Names University

  • 3500 Mountain Blvd, Oakland, CA - 94619-1699
  • (510) 436-1000

  • Programs: Family Nurse Practitioner and Registered Nursing
  • Offered As: Campus
  • State Rank BSN: 34
  • National Rank BSN: 282
  • Average NCLEX Passing Rate (BSN):
  • Program Accreditors: ACEN, ACME, CCNE and COA
  • State Rank ADN: N/A
  • National Rank ADN: N/A
  • Average NCLEX Passing Rate (ADN): 68.46%

Samuel Merritt University

  • 3100 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland, CA - 94609
  • (510) 869-6511

Samuel Merritt University College of Nursing in Oakland, California prides itself on preparing nurses for more than a century – since 1909. The mission of the Nursing School is to provide compassionate and skilled clinicians and nurse leaders. The faculty is known for its large number of graduates who enter all levels of the field from clinical positions to advanced placement in primary care and nursing leadership in Northern California and the Central Valley. They all have expertise in best practices, outcome-based healthcare and inter-professional simulation. In line with SMU’s core values, the programs prepare nurses to promote health and well-being across diverse populations and communities, who recognize the importance of social determinants of health, and practice with compassion, kindness, and respect.

Undergraduate programs – The two-year BSN is designed for students who have completed their general education and prerequisite courses at another institution. They are participate in hands-on learning experiences. The clinical courses are in a hospital and/or community settings, giving them opportunities to put theory into practice. In addition to acquiring the medical knowledge and technical skills necessary to practice as a nurse, students develop the leadership, communication, and teamwork skills needed to thrive as part of an integrated health care team. The BSN program serves as a stepping stone to move into leadership, education, or an advanced practice nursing specialty. Many graduates go on to earn a master of science in nursing or a doctor of nursing practice. There is an accelerated option for those with a bachelor’s in another field that can be done in one year. SMU’s RN to BSN program was created for working nurses. Over the 20-month program, they earn their degree part-time. As a licensed nurse with a solid foundation, they can use any previous academic and professional experience.

Graduate programs – Applicants to the Master of Science in Nursing programs at Samuel Merritt University must hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited program and an active Registered Nurse license. A Master of Science in Nursing is either in case management or as a nurse practitioner. The MSN FNP program focuses on working as a Primary Care provider in outpatient settings. The program runs two calendar years plus one semester (seven semesters, including two summer semesters), for a total of 90-semester units. Students must enroll full time in the first four semesters. It is possible to reduce the course load to part-time after the fourth semester. An entry level MSN program is offered in Oakland and Sacramento.

The curriculum blends theory, research, and practice and prepares students to make evidence-based decisions and work independently or in tandem with other caregivers. Graduates are trained to improve the health and well-being of the people and communities they serve and transform their healthcare experience through novel partnerships and collaborations, robust interdisciplinary training, conscientious and explicit use of research and evidence, and pioneering innovations in nursing education.

  • Programs: Family Nurse Practitioner and Registered Nursing
  • Offered As: Campus and Hybrid
  • State Rank BSN: 35
  • National Rank BSN: 284
  • Average NCLEX Passing Rate (BSN): 93.75%
  • Program Accreditors: ACEN, ACME, CCNE and COA
  • State Rank ADN: N/A
  • National Rank ADN: N/A
  • Average NCLEX Passing Rate (ADN):

Merritt College

  • 12500 Campus Dr, Oakland, CA - 94619-3196
  • (510) 531-4911

Merritt College in located in Oakland, California offers a nursing program for the ADN degree. The College’s mission is inspires students to create meaningful lives including fulfilling careers, community participation, self-expression, and a love of learning. The faculty strive to create a student-centered learning environment that leads to student retention, persistence and success. Merritt nursing students have the option to elect an ADN to BSN option by enrolling in the Cal State East Bay BSN (CSUEB) program, a transfer bridge program to a neighboring university. The student will meet with a Merritt College counselor to review their coursework and eligibility. The Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing. The course of study includes instruction in applied nursing sciences, related natural and social/behavioral sciences, and clinical nursing experience in hospitals and healthcare facilities located in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Undergraduate programs –  The program starts with the ADN in Nursing. There are specific admission requirements. In addition, there is an ADN to BSN Advanced Placement Option for ADN students to continue their education and complete the BSN program in one year. This is a 12-month intensive program where all courses are on-line except for the Community Health Practicum and Health Assessment course. The program begins with enrollment to the upper division leadership theory course taught on-line while the student is in the last semester of the program. The incoming ADN student will be awarded twenty upper division college credit units for passing the NCLEX-RN exam. The LVN to RN Upgrade Program is not active at this time the Cal State East Bay BSN (CSUEB) program, which is a transfer bridge program to a neighboring university.

  • Programs: Registered Nursing
  • Offered As: Campus
  • State Rank BSN: N/A
  • National Rank BSN: N/A
  • Average NCLEX Passing Rate (BSN):
  • Program Accreditors:
  • State Rank ADN: 4
  • National Rank ADN: 18
  • Average NCLEX Passing Rate (ADN): 98.98%

Mills College

  • 5000 MacArthur Blvd, Oakland, CA - 94613

  • Programs:
  • Offered As:
  • State Rank BSN: N/A
  • National Rank BSN: N/A
  • Average NCLEX Passing Rate (BSN):
  • Program Accreditors:
  • State Rank ADN: N/A
  • National Rank ADN: N/A
  • Average NCLEX Passing Rate (ADN):

Sources: The State Board of Nursing from Each State, U.S. Department of Education: College Scorecard, U.S. Department of Education – OPE, National Center for Education Statistics, Bureau of Labor Statistics

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